The queen, being ill of a slight fever, was yet
in bed: but the king, all impatient to see the bride which
heaven had sent him, sought admittance to her chamber. The poor
princess evidently did not look to advantage; for his majesty
told Colonel Legg he thought at first glance "they had brought
him a bat instead of a woman." On further acquaintance, however,
she seemed to have afforded more pleasure to the king's sight,
for the next day he expressed the satisfaction he felt concerning
her, in a letter addressed to the lord chancellor, which is
preserved in the library of the British Museum, and runs as
follows:
"PORTSMOUTH, 21st May
(Eight in the Morning).
"I arrived here yesterday about two in the afternoon, and, as
soon as I had shifted myself, I went into, my wife's chamber,
whom I found in bed, by reason of a little cough and some
inclination to a fever: but I believe she will find herself very
well in the morning when she wakes. I can now only give you an
account of what I have seen abed, which, in short, is, her face
is not so exact as to be called a beauty, though her eyes are
excellent good, and not anything in her face that in the least
degree can shock one: on the contrary, she hath as much
agreeableness in her looks altogether as ever I saw; and if I
have any skill in physiognomy, which I think I have, she must be
as good a woman as ever was born. Her conversation, as much as I
can perceive, is very good, for she has wit enough, and a most
agreeable voice.
Pages:
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134